Wyoming family adopts six children with Down Syndrome 

The Pinkerton family in Wyoming has adopted six young men with Down syndrome and other special needs, establishing a loving and inclusive home that defies societal norms about family, parenthood, adoption, and disability. 

Key Takeaways:

• The Pinkertons began offering permanent homes to children with special needs in the foster care system.

• The family noted that older children with special needs were often neglected and abandoned by people looking to adopt children.

• They have since adopted six young men with Down syndrome.

The Details:

Shannon and Troy Pinkerton, driven by a long-standing dedication to children with special needs, decided to offer provide permanent homes to older children who were neglected by America’s foster care system. Their adoption experience highlights the significance of family warmth and ties for children with disabilities and acts as a poignant reminder of unconditional love.

Thanks to her mother who operated a group home, Shannon Pinkerton grew up around people with disabilities. This experience influenced her to eventually adopt a child with Down syndrome. Along with her husband Troy, Shannon welcomed adopted son Joey in 2009, after their biological son, Cody, voiced his wishes for a brother with Down syndrome. 

From this first adoption, the Pinkertons realized how older children with special needs were often overlooked in foster homes. As time went on, the Pinkertons expanded their family by adopting five more young men: Tracee, Anthony, Julian, Cameron, and Devlin, each with Down syndrome or other developmental challenges like dwarfism and autism.

The Pinkertons also attend to the needs of Marybeth, a 63-year-old woman with Down syndrome, who has lived with them for almost 20 years. 

Seated on 40 acres, the Pinkerton home gives the children space to explore and build physical strength.  

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Zoom In:

Notwithstanding the difficulties of having a large family with special needs, the Pinkertons try to keep things lively and dynamic, organizing dance parties, creating TikTok videos, and delegating daily chores among the siblings. The family’s day-to-day dynamics reflect the ups and downs of family life, like periods of typical sibling rivalry and the special bonds formed.

The Pinkerton family’s story has gone viral online, with over half a million followers on their social media accounts. The Pinkertons’ online visibility has been crucial in changing pre-conceived notions about people with Down syndrome and those with special needs. The Pinkerton children have been welcomed in school and community activities, and their rural Wyoming community has embraced them warmly.

Through their interactions with local institutions, the Pinkertons have raised awareness about the importance of adoption for children with disabilities and the potential these children have to live holistic lives with the support of caring families. All in all, the Pinkerton family story shows that because they were willing and able to open their hearts and home to children who might otherwise have been left without families, they made a difference to the lives of these children.

The Bottom Line:

The Pinkerton family’s story affirms the inherent dignity and worth of every human life, including those with Down syndrome who often face societal ostracism. Adopting older children with special needs who were largely shunned by others revealed their profound respect for life, and firm commitment to care beyond birth. Every child deserves love, support, and a stable family home.